Apple Acquires Power Efficient LED Tech Company LuxVue

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Apple has acquired LuxVue Technology, a stealthy company that had been working on micro-LED, screen technologies, we’ve heard from sources close to the transaction. The company had raised $43 million in funding from Kleiner Perkins, iD Ventures America and others. Apple has given us a statement which reads “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans,” which is as close to a conformation as the company usually gives on acquisitions.

LuxVue had managed to remain fairly quiet over the past few years, and what we know is that the company develops low-power, micro-LED-based displays for consumer electronics. We’ve heard Apple acquired the company to add to its hardware innovations area.

Because the company is working on mirco-LED displays, this could mean that the technology could be integrated into Apple’s hardware for better battery life and screen brightness. VentureBeat reported last year that the company has filed several patents on micro-LED technology. At Disrupt SF last year, KPCB partner John Doerr briefly talked about LuxVue’s technology, which he said had “a technical breakthrough in displays.”

It’s also worth noting that this is likely to be one of those 24 companies Apple acquired over the past 18 months.

We’ve contacted Apple for comment and will update when we hear back. UPDATE: A spokesperson for Apple issued this response: Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.